The Etón Scorpion is a multi-purpose, solar-powered, digital weather radio rugged-ized for outdoor use. While you may not need one in the workshop, it could come in handy in a go-kit or in your vehicles for emergencies.
The 5.25″ × 2.5″ × 1.75″ unit weighs 8.5 oz. and requires no additional batteries as it has both a solar panel and a hand crank. Its digital radio tuner picks up AM, FM, and the NOAA Weather Band. The “splash-proof” case has a “rugged exterior skin” and an aluminum carabiner. It also has an LED flashlight, a USB cell phone charger, a headphone jack, an audio line input, and — best of all, and crucial for survival — a bottle opener. No word on how long you have to crank or leave it in the sun to charge up its internal battery, but it does have a battery charge indicator.
The $49.99 Scorpion is expected to be released in May.
Etón SCORPION NSP100GR Via Amazon [What’s This?]
Etón SCORPION [Manufacturer's Site]